Wednesday

Gov. Fayose Suspends Anti-grazing Marshals in Ekiti as Events Take New Turn

The operations of the Grazing Enforcement Marshall, established to
enforce the Ekiti State Government’s Anti-Grazing Act has been
suspended, according to Channels TV.

The Act prohibits herders from indiscriminate movement within the State with their animals at specified time.

Governor Ayodele Fayose suspended their operations on Tuesday after
issues were raised by the herders’ association, claiming that some of
the animals were killed by the officials.

He said they will only stay suspended for few days. At a meeting with
representatives of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeder’s Association in
Ado-Ekiti, Governor Fayose expressed happiness that the leaders of the
association decided to contact the state government instead of
listening to rumours being peddled around by the opposition.

He denied claims that the marshals appointed to enforce the anti-grazing law‎ were shooting cows. “The
marshals are not armed. There is total misinformation about killing of
cows, shooting of cows. It is pure political and misinformation.

“So, when we leave here, I am going to go show them their cows, where
they are kept and because of the accord and their understanding after
the Thursday meeting I will release the cows to them for them to know
that we are not extremists.

“All I want is people obeying our laws and collaborating together in the overall interest of our state.

“They have assured me that they are ready to cooperate, they have
accepted the marshals. They only want to be part of the marshals so
that they can equally enforce these laws with us because they know
their people very well and they assured me that nobody among the
herdsmen will go and use their cattle to feed on the farmlands and
attack any of the citizens,” he told reporters after the meeting.